¶ … Children and Adolescents with Depression
Statistics show that up to 2.5% of children and 8.3% of adolescents suffer from depression in the United States. Depression is thought to affect school performance, social interactions and family relationships. However, diagnosis and treatment of depression in children and adolescents have been hampered by the confusion of the symptoms of depression with normal adolescent behaviors. In order to reduce the incidence of depression and its effects on young people, the researcher aims to provide information that will help to clear up some of the controversy. Most of the research on depression has been done with adults but depressed children and adolescents show some different symptoms. There is not enough research on the topic of depression in children and adolescents in general, and on how depression affects their lives.
The study will address the following research questions:
How does depression affect the academic performance, social interactions and peer relationships and family life of children and adolescents?
What difficulties do children and adolescents with depression face in managing and treating the illness?
2.Literature Review.
The literature was reviewed to gain insights in the research that has been done on the effects of depression on various aspects of the behavior of children and adolescents. Research methods, particularly instruments used, were also noted.
Messman (2000) in her examination of parent- and teacher- reported behaviors in relation to child-reported depression and anxiety in preadolescents concluded that parents needed to be more acutely aware of the internalizing behavior of their children. This study was a continuation of a longitudinal study of 420 preschool children drawn randomly from the general population of a Dutch province. The sample eventually consisted of 293 children of average age 10.9 years. The main aim of the study was to investigate which parent- and teacher- reported behavioral syndromes signal the presence of child-perceived depression and anxiety in children. A packet of questionnaires was mailed to all participants- children, parents and teachers. The instruments used were:
The Dimensions of Depression Profile for Children (DDPC) to assess specific aspects of depression in children, The Child Behavior Checklist / 4-18 (CBCL/4-18) for the parents, and The Teacher's Report Form (TRF) for the teachers.
The results of the study showed that the correlation between child-reported depression and anxiety and the parent- and teacher- reported behavior signs were generally small or medium. The teacher- reported syndromes were generally higher and more significant that the parent-reported syndromes. The results indicate an apparent lack of parental awareness of child-perceived internalizing problems.
It would be useful to extend this study to determine if this is true of parents and children in my culture. Obtaining data on the parents' and teachers' perception of childhood and adolescent depression and their ability to recognize the symptoms will lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention and better support for the child or adolescent.
In younger children it is harder to diagnose depression. Play is a useful activity to use in the study of depression of children since most of their behavior is expressed in play, e.g. loss of interest and pleasure, hypo activity, psychomotor agitation and aggression. Mol Lous and others (2000) compared the behavior of depressed and non-depressed 3- to 6-year-olds in three play situations- solitary free play, interactive free play and play narratives. They used seven depressed children (3 girls and 4 boys) and matched them with seven non-depressed children, ages from 3 yrs - 5 yrs 11 months. The children were observed in rooms at their school. The experimenter chatted first with the child and then played with him/her. For solitary free play the experimenter played two games with the child- a puzzle and a bowling game. The child was then left for four minutes to engage in solitary play while being videotaped. For interactive play, the child was invited to play for twenty minutes with the experimenter in the room equipped with play materials and toys- Lego, blocks, clay, dolls, etc. This was also videotaped. The child and experimenter then sat at a table for...
All too often, these adolescents end up taking their own lives when their depression gets too painful for them and they have not received the help that they need. Even the medications that are designed to help them get through the depression can sometimes make things worse, as various medications for depression and anxiety carry a risk of suicide when people are just starting or just getting off of
Child and Adolescent Psychology Over the last several years, major advancements have taken place in child and adolescent psychology. This is occurring with mental health professionals trying to gain a better understanding about which issues are impacting individuals from these demographics. The main idea is to learn how the challenges they are facing early in life will influence their behavior. Once this happens, is when new ideas can address these issues
Adolescence, and How They Have the Potential to Impact Your Work as an Adolescent and Family Counsellor Issue Usually Adolescents Face Adolescence is a somewhat universal period of transition where females experience physical, emotional, psychological, and social changes. Cultures vary as to how they define and deal with the "growing up" period. Only the biological changes of puberty are consistent across cultures. Secondary sexual characteristics, such as breasts, may begin as
Essay Topic Examples 1. The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Depression This essay topic would explore the correlation between the time spent by teenagers on social platforms and the incidence of depressive symptoms among them. It would examine the nature of online interactions, cyberbullying, the pressure to conform to idealized images, and the impact of social comparison on young individuals� mental health. 2. The Role of Family Dynamics in Adolescent Depression This topic
Depression-Effects on the Family There are few families today that have not been affected by a relative or close associate who suffers or has suffered in the past from depression. During the average life span, more than twenty million Americans will experience or suffer some degree of depression at some point. Moreover, the ratio of families that will be directly affected is one in five (Papolos 3). With statistics such as
Adolescent Substance Use Screening Instruments: 10-Year Critical Review of the Research Literature Over ten million teenagers in the United States admit in a national survey that they drink alcohol, although it is illegal under the age of 21 in all states. In some studies, nearly one-quarter of school-age children both smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol. Over four thousand adolescents every day try marijuana for the first time. The dangers of use,
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now